Alright, for A Serbian Film I have two reviews, that I'm going to post here. I'm a film critic for a horror website called The Dead Centre. Both reviews I did for this website, one is my initial viewing of the original uncut version of the film, and the other is the U.S Blu-Ray release, which runs a minute shorter than the original film. My reviews tend to speak for themselves, but for A Serbian Film, I have to say that I've never seen a more fucked up movie in my life, and I do mean fucked up. There is no equivalent film in existence that is this brutal, unrelenting and merciless. So, be warned: My reviews will be describing things that are....graphic.
Original Review:
There have been a number of truly shocking horror films throughout the decades: I Spit on Your Grave, Cannibal Holocaust, Inside, Martyrs, just to name a few. But few, if any come close to what A Serbian Film portrays. Be warned, this review is going to be spoiler heavy, so if you still want to watch the movie, leave now.
A Serbian Film tells the story of a pornography actor who's been out of work for years and is struggling to make ends meet for him and his family. Along comes an offer from a "unique" filmmaker who promises to set his family up for life. The only stipulation is that Milos does not know what he is making. It starts off harmlessly enough, but soon, Milos becomes witness and participant to some extremely disturbing activities. A Serbian Film is effectively one of the most disturbing and fucked up movies I have ever seen in my life, and I have seen some messed up movies. Nothing compares to A Serbian Film however. I had heard and read reviews of the film and how it really goes to places that no one should ever have to go, but I was absolutely not prepared at how deranged and depraved the movie became. There are some truly horrific set-pieces that while seemingly over-the-top, are extremely difficult to sit through, particularly a scene involving a newborn baby. That was one of the most revolting things I've ever seen. But it gets worse as the movie goes on, particularly the last act of the film, and it involves Milos' family. While a lot can be said for the extreme sexuality that is portrayed in this movie, it's not erotic, and it's most definitely not pleasant to sit through. Basically, the filmmakers made this film as an allegory to what the Serbians experienced during the Balkan Wars. It's not something I can identify with. This is one of the most angry movies I've ever seen. The amount of rage portrayed on the screen gets very brutal, and at times, unnecessarily graphic.
That being said, there is a strange kind of brilliance to this film. The story is actually quite good, provided you can manage to get through the shit that is thrown at you. You're right there with Milos, and you feel his disgust at what he witnesses. The acting is actually very good, and the cinematography is top-notch, and it certainly amplifies the grotesque scenes that are put on the screen. The ending to the film is a real kick to the head. I won't spoil it here, but let's just say....it's wrong on so many levels that you can't really wrap your head around it. As soon as the credits rolled, I literally couldn't move for about ten to fifteen minutes. I had my head in my hands trying to comprehend what I had just seen. Most horror movies NEVER get under my skin and shake me up like that. This is a film that chews you up and spits you out. The film is finally getting a release here in the States on DVD/Blu-Ray. But I don't know if it'll be uncut or not. I saw the uncut 104 minute film, and while I don't regret seeing it, you can bet your ass I won't be revisiting until it hits home video, and even then, I'm not entirely certain I'll watch it again. It's one of the most repugnant, vile and unbelievably fucked up movies I've ever seen. And at the same time, it's also brilliant, because it not only managed to get a reaction out of me, you actually managed to connect with Milos on some levels. If you still want to see this movie, be warned. Be afraid. It's merciless, unrelenting and brutal to the extreme. On a technical level, A Serbian Film gets a 9/10 for being well-made and constructed, but as a whole, I can't give it a score at all, because it's one of those movies that defies all explanations, logic and god knows what else. A Serbian Film is the cinematic equivalent to being kicked in the gut, head and groin. Several times. It goes to very dark places that no-one except the truly depraved, are prepared to go to. I can't recommend this movie to ANYONE at all. I was curious about it, and basically got my ass kicked for it. Yes, A Serbian Film kicked my ass. I don't believe in censorship at all, but there are going to be people who demand it because of this film, and they would have every right to.
Blu-Ray Review:
Some spoilers, so beware*
The first time I saw A Serbian Film was almost a month ago. It was 104 minutes and contained some of the most shocking and disturbing scenes that I've ever seen in a film. I was shocked and repulsed at what I saw. I wasn't prepared for it, and most people who see it for the first time aren't either. The depictions of rape, necrophilia and pedophilia crossed the lines on so many different levels that it was obscene.
Having seen the film for a second time, this time on recently released Blu-Ray in the U.S., the question is was it edited? And the answer is yes. The slipcover of the blu-ray says the film is unrated. It would have to be in order to be released in the U.S., but it was still edited. The American release is only a minute shorter than the original cut, but it is astonishment the amount of power that is lost in that minute. Don't get me wrong, A Serbian Film is still a very powerful movie with powerful imagery in terms of sexual violence and the brutality of the violent acts. What was edited was the newborn scene, which removes the infant and what was done to it, leaving it more implied than shown, which still leaves an impact. It leaves more to the imagination which I think is a lot more effective, than actually showing. The other thing that was edited was in the last act of the film, when Milos is raping the two figures on the bed. One of the two was a child, but in the American release, you don't actually see the child's face. But you know who it is. Digging through all of that nasty stuff, there is a good story about a man who is a loving husband and father who wants to provide for his family, but is down on his luck and gets an offer that will set him and his family up for life, only it ends up not being what he wanted it to be.
Now, I'm posting a second review of the film, because I think I can finally give it a rating. But that will come later. First, as I said before, this is my second viewing of the film, which is an edited version, and I think a version that actually works better with some of the more extreme bits restrained a little bit. It's not much, but for people who have seen the uncut version of A Serbian Film, the difference is noticeable. The power of A Serbian Film lies in its ability to shock, but it only works once. Seeing it again, I didn't have the same reaction. Mostly because I knew what was coming, and that robs the film of its power. That's not to say it's not an effective thriller, because it is. There are twists and turns in this film that really hit you in the head, especially the ending. The acting is fantastic, especially with the actor who plays Milos. You see him as a loving husband and father that's pulled into a dark and twisted world of sexual deviance and brutal violence, and his reaction to what he has unwillingly done, helps drive the movie. The guy who plays Vukmir, the director of the unnamed "art film," is also fantastic as a twisted child psychologist-turned-filmmaker. The make-up effects are very well done and realistic. The music by Sky Wikluh is amazing, and really adds a sense of despair and intensity to the film. A Serbian Film is the directorial debut of a guy called Srdjan Spasojevic. It's a hell of a first effort. And one that's going to leave an impact on viewers for some time to come.
I feel that censorship for any reason is a bad thing. And even though the American release of A Serbian Film is only a minute shorter than the original cut, it's absolutely astonishing at how much a minute can change a movie. It's still a very powerful film and definitely not for the weak-hearted or weak-stomached, but some of that power has been diminished. Not by a whole lot, but enough. I think in order to get the film released in the States, some adjustments had to be made, and thankfully it was only a minute. Apparently the UK cut had four minutes sliced, which is an egregious amount of censorship, for a movie like this. But I haven't seen that cut, so I couldn't tell you what was excised. Having seen A Serbian Film as originally intended and as it was released here in the States, the cut I actually prefer is the American release. The film will knock you down and kick you while you're down, but the American release won't kick you in the family jewels. I still wouldn't recommend this film to anyone, not even horror fans, as there is some fairly horrific imagery at work here. But having seen it a second time, it just doesn't have the same effect. Again, I'm not advocating censorship here, even though it may seem hypocritical of me, but I feel for the newborn scene and some of the final act, less is more and can be just as effective. A Serbian Film is a brilliant movie in how it goes for the jugular and doesn't let go, but it also has a decent story at the heart of it with some of the most wretched and yet well-made effects seen on film. It was put together very well, the direction was amazing and is really a well-made first effort. I actually really want to see what Spasojevic can do when he's not angry at his own country. After having some distance from this movie for a month, I can actually give it a rating. It gets a 10/10. It's a very good movie. I can't say that I enjoyed it, it's not easy to sit through and I certainly wouldn't really recommend it to anybody, but I have to give credit where it's due, and I don't really see anything wrong with the film itself aside from some of the subject matter involved. So, there you have it: 10/10.
As you can read, my thoughts have changed somewhat between my first and second viewing. A Serbian Film is the only movie that I've reviewed twice. The first time was an....experience to say the least. What I can tell you is that the power of films like A Serbian Film lie in their ability to shock people. And they succeeded. But it only happens once. Repeated viewings, the film loses its power. Not by much as it's brutally intense, but it doesn't have the same edge as the first time around. So....viewer beware, and I'm not kidding.
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